I am so glad that God allowed me to be born in the United States of America. I have been privileged to travel to several other countries – South Korea, Romania, Hungary, Germany, Austria, Canada and Mexico – and have never been to a place I would rather live. I am a true American patriot. I love this country, and what this country has historically stood for. It is obvious to even a casual student of American history that the founders of this country envisioned it to be a nation governed by Judeo-Christian principles. Those who established the first colonies based the principles of government on Christian principles. Our nation’s first public schools used the Bible as their main text book. Our first colleges and universities were established as seminaries.

The objective of this article is not to argue that this nation was ever a Christian nation in the truest sense of the term. There has never been a period of American history during which every citizen of this nation professed faith in the God of the Bible, and salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. I am not so naïve to believe that this was ever a reality, or even a remote possibility. There is no nation on earth in which every citizen of that nation adheres to one religion, even though that nation might be recognized by a particular religion of choice – for example, a Christian nation, a Jewish nation, an Islamic nation, and so forth. In nations which utilize such identifying phrases as these, the majority of the citizens might embrace the teachings of that particular religion, but surely we are not to believe that every individual citizen of that nation embraces that religion. So it is in the United States of America.

Our founding fathers envisioned a nation in which the citizens of the nation could practice their religious beliefs without any interference from the government. The government would not establish a state church, or religion, but it would be governed by Judeo-Christian principles. Again, even a cursory reading of the statements of our founders makes this clear.

Now, to the objective of this article. My Christian faith teaches me that I am to respect everyone, even those with whom I adamantly and vehemently disagree. I don’t have to agree with you to respect you. If I don’t agree with you, it is not my responsibility to somehow persuade you that I am right and you are wrong. Even Jesus Christ Himself respected the opinions of others, and, after confronting them with His truth claims, would allow them to either embrace His teachings or reject them. Of course, His truth claims were not mere claims, but were, in fact, truth, and to reject them would be to one’s own eternal destruction, but He always gave individuals the right to choose for themselves.

So what does all this have to do with the United States of America? Well, I hope that it is pretty clear. Having been founded on Judeo-Christian principles, we did become a “Christian nation” in the sense that our founders recognized those Biblical principles as the foundation of our Constitution. We would be guided by, even governed by, those principles. The constitution will only work when guided and governed by those principles. When those principles begin to erode, then the government itself will begin to erode. And this is exactly what has happened in our beloved nation.

We have always been a nation recognized by the world as one which welcomes all. If someone from another country wants to move to America and make this country his/her home, then we welcome them, and wish for them the best. But they need to understand that once they come here, and become a citizen of this country, that they will embrace American culture, and not try to force their culture from their homeland on us.

But sadly, we have seen the erosion of our nation’s rich Christian heritage. Now, the Christian voice has been quietened, in many places even silenced, by the many other voices that clamor for attention. There was a time when decisions facing this nation were filtered through a Christian, Biblical lens, but now it has to be filtered through the atheist’s lens, the Muslim’s lens, the secularist’s lens, the humanist’s lens. We have lost our moorings, and are drifting aimlessly with no sure, solid source of guidance.

Fellow Christians, it is time to raise our voices and be heard once again. We do not have to sit by idly while our beloved nation continues to erode into a state of spiritual schizophrenia. The Christian voice is a mighty voice, if we will just let it be heard.

Today, I am issuing a two-fold challenge. First, I am challenging every person who identifies himself as a born-again believer in Jesus Christ to get involved. Engage our culture in conversation. Utilize every means possible. Write letters to the editor of our local paper. Post blogs on social media. Raise your voice and be heard!

Second, and most important, I am calling for Christians to unite in prayer. I feel strongly the need to call for a united prayer effort. Would you join me? History shows that the great movements of God in bringing spiritual renewal and revival to a nation that has drifted from its spiritual moorings have begun with prayer. Would you commit to joining together one day each week for the purpose of prayer? It will not be a time for fellowship, or preaching, or prayer requests, or eating, or anything else. If you are interested, I am inviting you to join me at noon on Wednesday, October 21, at the Moriah Baptist Associational offices located at 914 West Meeting Street in Lancaster. I realize that this time may not be convenient for some, so we will take a very brief few minutes at the initial prayer gathering to discuss time and place for future meetings.

The days are perilous. The need is urgent. There is no time to waste. Please join with me and others for this specific, strategic, matter of praying for our nation. Questions? Call 803-287-8099.